“Alice, Darling” is directed by Mary Nighy and stars Anna Kendrick, Kaniehtiio Horn, Wunmi Mosaku, and Charlie Carrick. The movie is essentially a meditation on abusive relationships and the trauma they cause to their victims. It is a quiet film and does a great job of conveying the story purely via visuals, utilising the classic “Show, doesn’t tell.” The movie also has beautiful cinematography and a strong performance from all the leads, especially Anna Kendrick, who delivers a strikingly real performance. The critics have nothing but good words about the movie, and it is surely a good watch. In case you’ve already watched the movie and are looking for similar films, worry no more, as we are listing our finds of movies that are like “Alice, Darling.”
The Invisible Man (2020)
Although it is basically a sci-fi thriller, “The Invisible Man” deals with an abusive relationship at its core. Cecilia, played magnificently by Elisabeth Moss, runs away from her wealthy and abusive boyfriend Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) only to find out that he killed himself and left his fortune for her. Cecilia, however, begins to believe that Adrian faked his death after she realises that she is being stalked by someone who is invisible to the naked eye. Hauntingly intense and extremely thrilling, “The Invisible Man” is truly a cinematic achievement. The movie also has a good amount of violence and suspense, but what makes it similar to “Alice, Darling” is Cecilia’s relationship with the cunning and evil Adrian, who will stop at nothing to take control over her life.
No One Would Tell (1996)
“No One Would Tell” follows high schooler Stacy and her relationship with the charming and popular jock Bobby. She soon realises her boyfriend’s violent and abusive tendencies and decides to take a stand, only to find Bobby becoming increasingly dangerous and maniacal. The movie is based on a true story about a 16-year-old high schooler who murdered his 14-year-old girlfriend. “No One Would Tell” has managed to accurately portray an abusive teenage relationship and how childhood trauma moulds a person’s character or personality. The movie explores Stacy’s family background and how living with a single mom allows her to get influenced by the possessive and controlling Bobby, who also has a history of being in an unhealthy family.
Bleeder (1999)
“Bleeder” follows the alcoholic Leo (Kim Bodnia), who’s obsessively into violent and gory movies, along with his friend Lenny (Mads Mikkelsen). Leo’s already troubled relationship with his girlfriend Louise (Rikke Louise Andersson) gets increasingly abusive after she informs him of her being pregnant, which leads Leo into a downward spiral of violence and madness. Leo’s frustration stems from the fact that he longs for the life of a single man. After the news of Louise’s pregnancy, he felt trapped in a relationship that he didn’t want, and this frustration turned into a rage that he took it out on his girlfriend. The director Nicolas Winding Refn accurately depicts the lower middle class of Copenhagen, along with a chilling portrayal of violent and dysfunctional men.
What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993)
“What’s Love Got to Do with It?” is loosely based on the autobiography (“I, Tina”) of the famed singer Tina Turner. The movie explores her rise to Rock’n Roll stardom while also dealing with her strained relationship with her abusive husband. Angela Bassett gives a powerful performance here as the star singer, along with Laurence Fishburne, who plays her husband, Ike Turner. The movie also has stunning musical performances with great costumes and elaborate choreographies. The highlight of the movie, however, was Angela Bassett and her utterly brilliant portrayal of the character. She seamlessly transforms from a wide-eyed girl at the start of the film to a sassy and powerful star at the end. Her troubled relationship with Ike Turner was given justice here, and Laurence Fishburne delivered a great performance as usual.
Blue Velvet (1986)
“Blue Velvet” follows college student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) as his investigation of a severed ear found near his house leads him to a mysterious nightclub where he meets the performer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini), who is in a relationship with the sadistic drug dealer, Frank. He confronts Dorothy in an attempt to save her, but she, in turn, seduces Jeffrey into sleeping with her. The movie is a blend of classic film noir, surrealism, graphic sexuality, and violence. It is a brave take on the crime world, with David Lynch’s unique vision and humor shining through in multiple places. The movie manages subtly to underline its take in terms of the perception of homosexuality at the time, along with a slew of other issues of the 1980s. With “Blue Velvet,” David Lynch is able to create a bizarre and bold movie that manages to have something for everyone, from the casual moviegoer to the arthouse cinephile.
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